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LAKKI MARWAT, July 16: Local farmers have demanded of the provincial government to rehabilitate the dilapidated canals in the district so lands located on tail end can get enough water for irrigation.

Talking to reporters here on Tuesday, they said Marwat, Kachkot and other canals in the district were in disrepair as the previous governments did not overhaul them, turning fertile lands barren and depriving farmers of livelihood sources.

They said upper Marwat area (Pakha Makha) residents were mostly dependent on farming but they got low produce owing to drying up of these canals. “The deteriorating condition of canals has badly impacted the district livestock and forestry sectors,” said the farmers.

They said if the canals were overhauled and sufficient water was provided to them they could make the province self-sufficient in wheat produce.

The farmers urged the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak to direct the irrigation department to ensure flow of water from these canals till the tail end.

During a visit to different bazaars in Naurang town to check prices of daily use commodities, he said the administration had received reports that traders were selling fire crackers to children and young boys during the holy month.

He said use of fire crackers during Ramazan, on Chand Raat and Eid days could cause loss of lives and properties.

He also warned the traders to refrain from selling expired food items and products of unregistered companies. He said the administration would not be lenient to violators.